JOINT HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE CERTIFICATION TRAINING
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Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions (WHSS) is the only Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) approved Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) Certification training provider located in Kingston.
As most workplaces with twenty (20) or more workers must have a JHSC established, we regularly hold training sessions. At least one (1) worker and one (1) management representative of this committee must be certified by completing the prescribed training standards set by the MOL.
Part One Basic Certification Training
Part One Basic Certification training provides an overall knowledge of the Health and Safety Legislation that applies to most workplaces.
Part Two Workplace Specific Training
Part Two Workplace Specific Certification training focuses on the significant hazards in your workplace and how to assess, control and/or eliminate them.
Refresher Certification Training
This course is designed to include all sectors and reviews the essentials of the Part 1 and 2 Certification training as well as highlight any legislative changes that have occurred within the last three years.
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Worker's Injuries from Construction Site Fall in Waterloo Results in $60,000 Fine for Innisfil Company
April 20, 2021
A worker fell 21 feet to the ground, sustaining injuries. Workers had not been given site-specific training nor had they been trained on where and how to properly tie off their fall protection equipment on this job site. Following a guilty plea in provincial offences court in Kitchener, MTN Construction Inc. was fined $60,000 and the court also imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
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Linen Worker Injured by Vehicle in Parking Lot, Toronto Employer Fined $120,000
March 10, 2020
A worker on foot outside a building was struck by a company vehicle. The lighting in the area was inadequate and insufficient to ensure the safety of workers in the area. Following a guilty plea in provincial offences court in Old City Hall court in Toronto, Canadian Linen and Uniform Service Co. was fined $120,000 and the court also imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.
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International Event
North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week
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NAOSH Week was first launched in June 1997, marked by an agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico. The goal during NAOSH Week is to focus employers, employees, partners and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home, and in the community.
This year, NAOSH Week is being held during the week of May 2-8, 2021. Some suggestions for ways to celebrate NAOSH Week while respecting current public health guidelines are as follows:
- Promote NAOSH Week through articles and on social media platforms. Remember to use the #SafetyandHealthWeek hashtag;
- Share NAOSH Week posters on your intranet and in e-mails to your employees. If your workplace is open, you can display these posters on bulletin boards or other conspicuous places;
- Launch a recognition program for health and safety suggestion that are put into use or enhance ongoing workplace health and safety practices;
- Organize online training sessions or virtually host a Threads of Life guest speaker who can deliver a powerful message regarding workplace health and safety for staff working from home.
For more information regarding NAOSH Week and to discover ways to display that your workplaces is committed to occupational health and safety, click here or contact us at 613.546.9814 or by emailing info@whss.ca.
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Migrant Workers
Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) COVID-19 Requirements
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Every year, thousands of migrant workers come to Canada to work. These workers play a vital role in Ontario’s broader agricultural industries, and therefore, in Ontario’s economy. The Ministry of Labour Training and Skills Development (MOLTSD) has identified this special labour group as a vulnerable group that faces barriers in accessing effective occupational health and safety resources and support.
In Ontario, employers are required to post a copy of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and all mandatory explanatory material prepared by the MOLTSD, for both Occupational Health & Safety and Employment Standards, in both English and the majority language of the workplace, outlining the rights and responsibilities of workers. In addition, employers are required to provide full onboarding training to all workers, including Workers Health & Safety Awareness in Four Steps, which is available in many languages.
COVID-19 poses further challenges as many businesses will be preparing for the summer months ahead and this may include recruiting temporary foreign workers and/or seasonal agricultural workers. It is important that all Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) employers and workers are following the latest health and safety requirements and guidelines set out by federal, provincial and local authorities at all times.
Employers are required to ensure the following:
- Workers must be paid for a minimum of 30 hours per week at their regular rate of pay during the quarantine period;
- Workers must have access to essentials without being charged inflated prices or surcharges;
- If providing accommodations for workers, sanitization products must be provided and beds must be situated at least two metres apart;
- If a worker begins experiencing symptoms, the employer is required to immediately provide them with accommodations that allow them to isolate from others and assist them in accessing medical care, medicine, and food during the isolation period;
- Workers must not be forced to work while in isolation.
For access to MOLTSD publications in other languages, please click here and for more information regarding COVID-19 requirements for Temporary Foreign Workers, please click here.
Any questions? Never hesitate to contact us at 613.546.9814 or by emailing info@whss.ca.
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Workplace Hazard
Heat Stress
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Many workplaces permitted to remain open throughout the pandemic have employees working outside in the heat. Heat Stress is considered a workplace hazard and an employer must have the proper policies and procedures in place to mitigate the risk.
There are multiple ways to reduce the risk of heat stress in the workplace by planning and designing the workplace accordingly. This includes practices such as using machinery to reduce the physical demands of the work, increasing the length and frequency of rest breaks, and slowing down the pace of work, and using fans (for temperatures 35°C and below) and air conditioners to reduce the temperature and humidity.
Handling seasonal heat stress is going to be harder due to COVID-19 requirements, such as wearing additional personal protective equipment and social distancing, but there are specific steps you can take to help mitigate these challenges. To mitigate the risks of COVID-19 transmission as well as heat stress, advise your employees of the following best practises:
- Instruct employees on the proper fit for face masks — masks should fit snugly and cover both nose and mouth, but not so tight as to restrict breathing.
- Provide your employees with extra masks or encourage them to bring extras with them to work. That way, they swap out a mask if it gets too sweaty.
- Advise all team members that moisturizing the skin can help prevent them from developing rashes.
Employers and Supervisor must ensure that employees have been trained on the symptoms of heat stress illnesses, provide access to potable water, schedule enough first aiders and have a procedure in place to assess and reduce the risk.
For more information on managing heat stress in the workplace, click here. You can also contact us at 613.546.9814 or by emailing info@whss.ca for more information.
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Noxious Plants
Protect your Outdoor Workers from Hazardous Plants
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Throughout Ontario, there are noxious plants that can cause painful reactions when they come into direct contact with an individual’s skin. These plants include:
- Giant Hogweed
- Wild Parsnip
- Poison Ivy
- Poison Oak
- Poison Sumac
- Stinging Nettle
Workers who work outdoors need to be provided with the appropriate training to enable them to recognize these plants and be able to work safely around them. Employees must take every precaution reasonable to ensure that they do not touch these plants with their bare skin. Supervisors must provide their employees with the necessary training and instruction to ensure an employee’s body and face are covered, that they do not use power equipment or tools around these plants and that all equipment that may have come into direct contact with a noxious plant is sanitized after every potential exposure.
If a worker does come into contact with a noxious plant, there are immediate steps that must be taken to minimize the contact time. The affected area must be washed immediately with soap and cold water and the employee should seek medical attention immediately. An additional precaution that must be taken is to protect the employee’s affected area from coming into contact with direct sunlight if exposed to the sap of a noxious plant, such as giant hogweed or wild parsnip.
For information on how to protect workers from hazardous plants and more tips on working outdoors, click here.
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Health and Safety Excellence Program
Provider Updates
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2020 Program status:
At this point, all companies that were part of the 2020 program should have their documents for evidence and their evidence stories submitted to Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions for validation. If you have any outstanding documents, please contact either Sarah Salisbury at ssalisbury@whss.ca or Sheena Smith by at ssmith@whss.ca for next steps.
2021 Program:
Registration for the 2021 program remains ongoing for both new and returning members. You can still register for the program with Wilkens Health and Safety Solutions until June 30, 2021. As mentioned in our meeting with the WSIB on April 21, 2021, we will be reaching out to our members individually regarding the topic selection process and setting up new action plans.
If you have questions about the program or would like to register for the 2021 program, please contact us at 613.546.9814 or by emailing info@whss.ca.
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Employment Standards
Public Holiday
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A friendly reminder to all businesses that Ontario employees must receive Public Holiday Pay for Victoria Day, under the Employment Standards Act. This year, Victoria Day falls on Monday, May 24, 2021.
For more information on our Human Resources services and what you need in place, contact Sarah Salisbury, Associate Consultant at 613.546.9814 ext. 222 or by email.
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Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit
On April 28th, the Ontario Government proposed legislation to offer a paid sick leave benefit to eligible Ontario workers. At the time of publishing, legislation has not yet been passed. Once the legislation has been finalized, we will send out a special announcement regarding any applicable updates.
For more information on the proposed changes, click here.
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Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
Upcoming and Ongoing Provincial / Eastern Ontarion Inspection Initiatives
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Please note that the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development has stated that in response to COVID-19, they plan to adjust the current 2020-21 health and safety compliance initiative schedule. Currently, there are no scheduled upcoming inspection initiatives, however, inspections are still occurring. Further updates will be provided, as necessary.
View the full schedule here.
For help preparing for an upcoming inspection, contact us today.
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Upcoming WHSS Courses
Register Your Employees Today!
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All courses scheduled are offered following safe distancing protocols, as well as all other mandated safety protocols- this means fewer people being allowed to register for each course - allowing for safe participation.
Private on-site courses can also be arranged for groups of six (6) or more. Please contact Sheena Smith for details.
WHSS continues to be a training partner for Working at Heights with the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA). Contact us today to arrange your full or refresher course. Courses are scheduled on an as needed basis and can be held at your site or at a suitable training location.
For a complete listing of upcoming courses, click here or contact Sheena Smith by email or 613.546.9814 ext. 224 for more details.
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